A lil bonus from my mom, Dr. Adwoa Akhu (@adhdparentdoc), a clinical psychologist. This is Ask Dr. Mom, part 5.

Okay, I’m a parent with ADHD. As I think about ADHD Awareness Month and wanting to support other parents who might be in my same shoes, I asked her: what are three quick tips you have?

Here’s what she said.

1. Get evaluated

“If you’re not sure if you have ADHD, then make sure you get an evaluation. It’s important that you understand your specific brain. So starting with the evaluation first.”

2. Learn how YOUR brain works

“Then two would be getting this understanding of how your brain works, what your strengths are, what your challenges are, because you will use that for three.”

3. Build small, simple systems

“Which is creating small, simple systems that will help you be most successful in your everyday life.”

Watch the reel on Instagram

Quick answers

What should a parent do first if they think they have ADHD?
Get an evaluation. Dr. Akhu says it’s important that you understand your specific brain, so the evaluation comes first.

Why does it help to know your ADHD strengths and challenges?
Because you use that understanding for the next step: building systems that fit how your brain works.

What kind of systems help parents with ADHD?
Small, simple systems that help you be most successful in your everyday life.

Save this for your next reset.

More from my mom life: why solo parenting is a marathon and my self-care habits post.

This is general information, not medical advice. Dr. Adwoa Akhu is a clinical psychologist, and the tips above are in her words. Find her on Instagram at @adhdparentdoc.

More from Ask Dr. Mom: why other moms make it look so easy (part 3) and how to get support from a partner without ADHD (part 4).